Christian Freedom

 Claiming Rights and Living by Love

 Book of 1 Corinthians, Chapters 8 and 9

 

In this lesson, we will see the contrast between knowledge and love.

 We know the Word of God provides us with the knowledge of how to live our lives according to the Word of God.

 God has a response to every question we have in this life, no matter what it is!

 The City of Corinth was a pagan city, full of idolatry.

 Most of the meat sold in the marketplaces had been offered in sacrifice to idols, pagan gods.

 A portion of a sacrifice was offered as a burnt offering to a false god; the person who offered the meat would get a portion, and the rest of the meat would be sold in the marketplaces.

 Practically every social event in Corinth served meat that had been offered as a sacrifice to false gods.

 What was a Christian to do when they went shopping for meat for their own families?

 They had no idea where that meat came from, just as we have no idea when we go shopping for meat for our own families today.

 There were also great social functions in the city, and many of them were held in the temples built for the worship of these false gods.

 Could a Christian attend these events and eat the meals that were served, knowing that the meat might have been offered to false gods?

 Many felt that it was wrong to buy meat that had been offered to false gods, but they could not tell if the meat they bought had been used as a sacrifice or if the meat came from some other source.

 For this reason, many Christian believers became vegetarians.

 Just as these Corinthians, Christians of today live amid a sinful and pleasure-mad world, and we will have questions.

 These Corinthians wrote a letter to the Apostle Paul seeking answers to these questions, and the Church of today has those answers.

 The greatest questions of today are about Christian freedoms.

 Are we free to do as we please?

 What restraints are put on Christian Liberty?

 What controls our behavior in this wicked world?

 What is Christian love?

 Today, we have the complete Word of God, and it gives us all the answers we need to live in this life.

 *****1Co 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 

1Co 8:2  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 

1Co 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

 We must understand the three Christian graces which are Faith, Hope and Charity!

 Faith is the vision of the unseen: Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

This is our trust in God.

 Hope is our desire to be with our Creator: Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

 Charity (love) is the necessary condition of our dwelling with God and God in us: 1Co 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 

 We know that God is love: 1Jn_4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1Jn_4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

 God loved us when we were worthless to Him, and we must strive to love like God loves and show that love not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to those we witness to.

 It will be our love that will define us as Christians in the end!

 Then, we need to first judge all things by love and not by knowledge.

 We all have knowledge if we study the Bible and attend a Bible believing Church, but we all may not have the love of God within us as we go through this world.

 The knowledge we have learned may come forth as pride, and our pride may interfere with our love.

 It is our love that must define our bodies as a Temple of God!

 We certainly have much more knowledge about God's creations, but it is by no means perfect knowledge.

 We have much knowledge about the true Church, but it is love that builds the Church.

 It is good to have clear views of Christian liberty, but if we exercise that knowledge without love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, then that knowledge is not fruitful for the Body of Christ.

 The Holy Spirit is not given to us to do as we please!

 We have the Holy Spirit living within us to give us freedom to serve the Lord Jesus, which is perfect freedom.

 We are free to obey all the Word of God.

 We are free from the law of sin and death: Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

 We have complete freedom to do the things that are in God's will for us.

 When God created this world, we live in, He said that it was all good.

 Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 No actions of any Saint of God are unlawful if they are in accordance with God's design in creation.

 We should understand that desires are a function of our bodies that God made. So, in this sense, we have complete freedom.

 1) We must understand that many things in this world are neither worthwhile nor are they profitable.

2) We must understand that many things in this world are not wise. Some things will enslave us and not bring self-respect.

 We are never to become slaves to anything on this earth, which would include such things as drugs or alcohol, or substance abuse.

 We are to preserve our self-control to control the things upon this earth and not be controlled by any of them.

 Our good health and our emotions depend upon us being in control of our bodies and our spirits.

 Indulgence in any of the appetites of the body is one of the greatest sins of any believer.

 Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 Our knowledge is useless if it is not bound by love for each other!

 It is love that unites us with Jehovah.

 If we love Jehovah, then He knows it and accepts it.

 We are not accepted by God because of our knowledge!

 Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

 *****1Co 8:4  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 

1Co 8:5  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

 As Christians, we know that there is no God but Jehovah.

 We know that no idol is God and is nothing in this world, no matter what their worshippers may think.

 There is no God but One, and He is Jehovah.

 False gods are gods of the mind and imagination, ideas and notions.

 They are gods made of wood and stone.

 They are gods and lords of their own creation.

 We could all sit down and think about what a perfect God should be, but we do not even know what perfect really means; we just know that our Savior is perfect and He is a perfect God.

 We know that an idol is created because the Devil has influenced the mind of that person.

We know that an idol could represent the demons and evil spirits in our world.

 1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

 There is indeed demonic influence in our world.

 Even the powers of nature are worshipped as gods.

 Even the Roman emperors claimed to be gods.

 As Christians, we know that all these so-called gods do not exist except in the minds of some foolish people.

 We know that there is, but one God and He is our Creator.

 Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 

 There are just far too many in our world who have not met the Lord Jesus Christ.

 *****1Co 8:7  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 

1Co 8:8  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

 We already know that this church in Corinth was full of baby Christians and was full of division.

 They had not understood the truth of Jehovah.

 They had many times eaten of this sacrificial meat and had visited the temples of false gods and taken part in the big banquets.

 To them, to continue to do these things had to be a sin against Jehovah and apostasy.

 It was their conscience that was weak. They just could not accept that this meat could be clean.

 They could not tell what meat came from which source, so to them all the meat was unclean.

 Too many, they just did not ask the source of the meat, and they just took it home and ate their conscience free and clear of any wrong.

 We can see a lack of faith by those who became vegetarians.

 They were not strong enough spiritually to control their minds and beliefs.

 Act 10:14  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 

Act 10:15  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

 Food is immaterial to God. Food does not make us more spiritual or less spiritual.

 The eating of food does not make us acceptable to God nor does it better or worse.

 We lose nothing by not eating and we gain nothing by eating.

 Some would tell you that this same line of thought would apply to wine or alcohol, but the Scripture never said wine was clean.

 Pro 23:29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 

Pro 23:30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 

Pro 23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 

 Isa 5:22  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 

Isa 5:23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

 Isa 5:11  Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 

 There are many more places in the Scriptures concerning wine and alcohol.

 We understand that there is such a thing as Christian Freedom, so the question of real importance is, "What effect will our conduct have on others"?

 *****1Co 8:9  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 

1Co 8:10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 

1Co 8:11  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

 Some people use verse 8 to say "fasting" is not needed for a Christian, because of the words "but meat commendeth us not to God", but this would be a wrong interpretation.

 We do have liberties as true Christians, but we are in sin if we lead anyone to do that which he thinks is wrong.

 We make things worse for the "babe in Christ" by our example if we teach them to act in contradiction of their conscience.

 God has revealed Himself through conscience; Rom 2:13  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

 Conscience may be regarded as an inward monitor or the voice of God in the soul, that passes judgment on men's response to the moral law.

 We can study the Bible and learn every prophecy and think we know all that we can about Jehovah, but if we do not use these things to benefit others, such as babes in Christ, then these things will not bring the blessings of the Lord but rather reproach for the cause of Christ.

 No matter how great a Christian we think we are, we must not become a stumbling block to a new Christian and especially to that one who left the Church before they experienced the salvation of Jesus Christ.

 1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 Note that phrase in verse nine: "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumblingblock to them that are weak".

 To the world, the Church is already a place full of hypocrites, so why would we ever make matters worse?

 When Christians are seen out in public doing questionable things, others are sometimes influenced by the things they see us do, but in the wrong way.

 We must never forget that none of us are so Spiritual that we cannot fall.

 *****1Co 8:12  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

 There is no greater sin for the Christian than to damage the conscience of another believer!

 A wounded conscience will make any person feel useless and helpless and may destroy their drive and initiative, and ambition.

 Jesus Christ died for us in our weakness. If we lead some poor soul astray, we have committed a terrible sin against the truth of Jesus Christ.

 What had the Lord Jesus told the Apostle Paul on his day of salvation?

 Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 

 Any persecution of any believer is the same as persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ!

 *****1Co 8:13  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

 We must understand that we have no value in ourselves, but because of the work of Jesus Christ, we are valuable in Heaven!

 If we are striving to be more like Jesus Christ, then we must remember what He has said: Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 

Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 Our love for our brothers and sisters should mean that we will self-sacrifice for their welfare.

 In the Church, we will influence more people by example than we will influence by our knowledge!

 Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

 *****1Co 9:19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 

1Co 9:20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 

1Co 9:21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 

1Co 9:22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 

1Co 9:23  And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 

 We can see that the Apostle enslaved himself to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 As did the Lord Jesus: Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 

Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 

 We talk about Christian freedom, and we have certain freedoms, but we are free to walk with the Lord.

 When we walk with the Lord, we are not as likely to return to the bondage of this world, which is bondage to the Devil.

 Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 This passage may apply more to preachers or pastors, but it also applies to every Christian.

 The one purpose of following the Lord Jesus is to reach out to the lost and be a witness for Christ.

 Paul said he was free from all men, but he had enslaved himself by love to serve one another.

 As we are free because of Jesus Christ, we are not obligated to conform to the world's opinions.

 We are never to compromise our convictions, but we must show the love of God to those we are trying to witness to.

 We must remember our humble Shepherd and how He treated everyone He met, no matter their walk in life.

 Paul obeyed the laws of Moses when he witnessed to Jews, as did the Lord, as long as nothing violated his walk with Christ.

 This is a great example for the Church today.

 We are free to do all things that do not violate the Law of God.

 Though Paul would be obedient to the Law of Moses as best he could, he did not compel any Gentile to do the same.

 Paul would go along with the customs of the Gentiles that were not in violation of the Laws of God.

 Paul would go along with babes in Christ and refrain from doing some things that he had the Christian freedom to do.

 Paul would not become a stumbling block to anyone seeking Jesus Christ!

 The most important "grace" we have in our possession is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 Mar 10:43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 

Mar 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 

Mar 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

 No true Pastor or preacher, or even a Christian believer, can approach the Christian life with a bad attitude.

 *****1Co 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but onereceiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 

1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 

1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

One of the great festivals of the Greeks took place in Corinth during the Isthmian Games in honor of Poseidon, which took place every three years.

When Paul mentioned the word race, these people knew what he was talking about.

No racer entered those games determined to lose, knowing that only one would be crowned the victor.

To be honest, it is the race itself that brings excitement and not always the winner.

As Christians, we all enter the Christian race to be winners, and we can know that our journey to Heaven will be exciting if we put our hearts into it.

God expects us to run and run hard!

Php 2:16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

A racer will spend much time preparing his body for that one day of the race.

He will prepare his body.

He will prepare his mind.

He will prepare his spirit.

As Christians, we must be just as disciplined as these athletes.

A true athlete will not put anything into his body that is corrupt or polluted.

Remember, our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

We must control our minds and our thoughts, and we must give in to the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

That crown we receive from Heaven is far greater than any crown we could receive on this earth.

We must make every time we witness count toward salvation, even if we water where someone else has planted the seed.

We cannot allow our bodies to dictate our actions.

As we age, our bodies will tell us it is just too tired to do anything and has too much pain.

God will not accept this as an excuse!

We are not to be slaves to our bodies; our bodies must be a slave to our work for the Lord!

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

That cross is a sign of pain and death, but we must overcome it because we can never die, and that cross will drive us to success.

To give in to our bodies is to be disqualified from the race!

We will struggle with sin all our days, but we cannot allow sin to dictate our actions.

There is nothing that we do that can separate us from the love of God.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Amen

Marriage

 Godly Instructions for Marriage

 1 Corinthians Chapter 7

 We know that marriage was instituted while Adam and Eve were still in the Garden of Eden.

 At this time, the human race was in that period of life described as innocence.

 Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 

Gen 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 

Gen 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 

Gen 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 

Gen 2:22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 

Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 

Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 A Biblical marriage can only be between one man and one woman.

 One man, born a man, lives as a man, and one woman, born a woman, has lived her life as a woman.

 God does not recognize the marriage of two homosexuals

God does not recognize the marriage of the LGBTQ movement.

God does not recognize the marriage of two people who are confused about their gender.

God will never recognize the marriage of more than one wife.

God will never recognize the marriage of a man and some animal.

 God will only recognize a marriage that is in obedience to the Word of God, and the Church should do the same, or be in defiance of the Word of God and living in sin.

 We know these things have divided many so-called churches today, just as they divided the Church at Corinth.

 The Church at Corinth was a cesspool of immorality, just as the City of Corinth was immoral.

 Many churches of today have rejected the Word of God and have allowed all sorts of immorality into the church.

 Every church of today needs to be concerned about marriage.

 Believers must understand the concept of marriage because it was Jehovah who instituted the concept of marriage to begin with.

 Chapter 7 and verse 1

 *****1Co 7:1  Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 

 Even if society is falling apart, which it is, in the divorce courts of this world and immorality and cohabitation run rampant, and it is, the Church that Jesus Christ built must hold high the truth of Biblical marriage.

 Marriage is ordained of God, and God never changes.

 Mal_3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not;

 It is a fact that God said it is not good for man to live alone, but here Paul says it is good for a man not to touch a woman, but this is not a contradiction.

 There are special situations for not marrying!

 That word "good" means advisable. Which can mean that it is open to advice.

 Let's look at the words of Jesus Christ: Mat 19:5  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 

Mat 19:6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

Mat 19:7  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 

Mat 19:8  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 

Mat 19:9  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 

Mat 19:10  His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 

**Mat 19:11  But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 

Mat 19:12  For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

 There are times that unmarried persons should remain unmarried because of situations happening in this world by unbelievers, such as Christian persecution, but we can also include wars, economic collapse, disease, obligations, and some other things.

 We should also consider what God has called us to do.

 We know that most men would not be able to live in this because of the sin of lust.

 Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

 1Th 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 

 What is a virgin?

 Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 

Rev 14:5  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

 A man could remain pure because there is no immoral sin between the singles in the Lord's Church.

 Of course, it is the same for women.

 Notice next the command of the Holy Spirit.

 *****1Co 7:2  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

 This Scripture should be the rule of the Church!

 This marriage is done to avoid fornication.

 We are sexual beings, but we are to follow the Word of God to avoid sin.

 Without marriage, there would be no human race!

 Without marriage, there would be no foundation for the family.

 Notice this verse eliminates polygamy.

This verse eliminates the marriage of two lesbians.

This verse eliminates the marriage of two men.

This verse eliminates the marriage of two people who do not know if they are a man or a woman.

This verse eliminates the marriage of a human and an animal.

 Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

 A good marriage is a type of the design of the Church that Jesus Christ has built.

 Many groups of the human race will no longer exist simply because they have neglected true marriage, and this may be why some have already disappeared.

 Jer 29:6  Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 

 Some countries, like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, are already experiencing noticeable population declines.

The U.S. and many countries in western Europe have below-replacement fertility rates but have not yet seen significant population decline.

China, for many years, allowed only one child, and the parents chose boys over girls, but now China is begging for families to have three children.

Our President said we should pay families to have children.

 God said to Israel Get married and have enough children so that their population would not go down while they were in captivity.

 God blesses the good marriage.

God blesses those who keep themselves pure.

God blesses those who give themselves to the work of the Lord and remain single.

God blesses those who live a life that avoids sin!

 *****1Co 7:3  Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 

 We must understand that there are mutual duties within a marriage.

 That word benevolence used here means debt.

 Both the husband and the wife have rights in a Biblical marriage. Each one can expect to receive some things from the other.

 Both have a responsibility to pay the other exactly what is due to them.

 If we go back to the very first marriage of Adam and Eve, we know that in typology, this first marriage was a type of the Church.

 It was God who said that a man should not be left alone.

 It was the Church that the Lord God formed.

 Jesus Christ has but one wife, and it is the Church. Jesus Christ did not have a wife when He walked upon this earth, and He did not lust for any woman, and He certainly was not gay.

 It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has made the Church happy by His "Grace".

 The Church has but one husband, and it is Jesus Christ, and comes by "Faith".

 Hos 3:3  And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

 The marriage of one man to one woman is special and is to be eternal, and is to be based on love!

 Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 

 The word "render" used here is a continuous action.

 The rights and the duties of the man and the woman are to be continually fulfilled.

 Some say this verse means sexual rights, but it pertains to all the rights and the duties of the husband and the wife.

 To the husbands:

 1Pe 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 

 To the wives:

 1Pe 3:1  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 

1Pe 3:2  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

 Marriage is mutual ownership.

 *****1Co 7:4  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 

1Co 7:5  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 

 We must understand that a good marriage comes because these two people will put comfort, well-being, and happiness before their own.

 Every married couple has made obligations to each other that they must keep.

 It is not a matter of giving and taking; it is just a matter of giving to each other.

 God knows we have sexual needs, and He gives us the outlet of marriage to satisfy those needs.

 Heb_13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 Just as God is in everything, He is clear and forceful in His instructions for a good marriage.

 Both husbands and wives have equal rights over the other's body. This is part of the marriage union.

Both the husband and the wife belong to each other so fully that to withhold is an act of fraud, cheating the other of what he is due.

Both the husband and the wife must agree to abstain, but only for fasting and prayer. This is the only exception given in Scripture.

We know that the health of each other is also important.

 These things are the beginning of an intimate family structure that has disappeared in this sinful world, but must take place with God's people.

 Neither the husband nor the wife will stay apart from their spouse for too long a period of time because of temptation.

 We have to give Satan his due; he is strong in temptation, especially in this sex crazed society.

 The stronger the bond of marriage between two Christians, the stronger the loyalty and the security of the family.

 A good marriage begins when both husband and wife have surrendered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Only His presence and power can keep marriages according to the Word of God, along with much prayer and, yes, some fasting.

 It is not good for us to believe that every marriage would work out just because we are obedient to the things mentioned by Paul, when we know that without prayer, nothing will work in this world.

 John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 We are all created differently from each other, and we will do things differently, but Jesus Christ is always the same, and He will guide us in His ways in all things, even marriage.

 *****1Co 7:10  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 

1Co 7:11  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

 Marriage is God's gift to society.

Being single is also God's gift.

 Because persecution was coming to the Church, Paul said it might be best to remain single to those people who had already lived much of their lives in wickedness.

 The fact is, everyone must do as God's gifts call them to do.

 Corinth was an immoral city, so many of these church members had already been married and divorced and remarried, and many of these second marriages were any better than those first marriages because of wickedness.

 Paul said it might be better for them to stay as they were when they were saved.

 It was time for wickedness to end in the Church.

 The Lord Jesus has given us the one rule for divorce: Mat 5:31  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 

Mat 5:32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 

 No doubt some women were saved without their husbands, and some men were saved without their wives, and the Lord Jesus said this was not a good reason for divorce.

 If that unbeliever decides to depart from the marriage, then they should remain unmarried or be reconciled back together.

 The Lord Jesus explains this to every Pharisee: Mat 19:3  The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 

Mat 19:4  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 

Mat 19:5  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 

Mat 19:6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

Mat 19:7  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 

Mat 19:8  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 

Mat 19:9  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 

 As the Lord Jesus explains, why would we ever want to live in sin and call ourselves Christians?

 We would be no different from the world.

 Paul said to these Corinthians it would be better to remain single than to live in sin.

 We should understand that God hates divorce!

 Mal 2:16  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

 To God, divorce is not just a wrong choice; it is a destruction of His work, a violent act He abhors.

 There are three groups of people in this Church at Corinth.

 1) The unmarried.

2) The married.

3) The rest of them.

 There were mixed marriages of believers with non-believers.

 *****1Co 7:12  But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 

1Co 7:13  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 

1Co 7:14  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

 What do we do on those occasions when we cannot find the answer we are seeking from the Word of God?

 The Lord Jesus gives us this answer: Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 

Joh 16:15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

 When those times come that we just do not know what to do, we must not forget we have the Holy Spirit living within us, and we must trust Him to lead us.

 We may also have to do some fasting and praying.

 God will not leave us in the dark, and we know the Lord Jesus is the Light in all things of God!

 These were those church members who gave themselves to the Lord, but their spouse did not.

 God has already warned us against marrying someone who is lost.

 2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 Sometimes people have enough love to stay together under all circumstances, and sometimes they don't.

 We must understand that we are living under "Grace”, and we must show that "Grace" to the unbelieving spouse.

We must also show forgiveness to that person the same forgiveness we have received from Christ.

We must show the love that Christ has shown us.

 The bond of this marriage is still holy in the eyes of God.

 Any children that are born from this relationship are just as children born from any Christian marriage.

 Rom 11:16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 

 But they choose to depart from marriage, the believer is under no obligation to try to stop them from leaving.

 *****1Co 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 

1Co 7:16  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 

If you are married to an unbeliever, you are not under bond to that unbeliever if they choose to depart for that reason.

We do not know if this is true if you choose to marry an unbeliever after your salvation, because God commands us not to do this.

2Co_6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Remember what God says are commands and not suggestions.

If one person in the marriage of one man and one woman gets saved and the other rejects the Gospel, then that person should try to keep the marriage functioning, but this may not be possible. 

If that unbeliever decides to depart, then that marriage bond is broken, and that person is free to marry again, but only to a believer.

We can see that "peace" in each believer's life is important to God!

1Co 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

2Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Some saints would even try to keep that marriage together in the hope of leading that spouse to the Lord, but there is no way of knowing this.

In fact, in most cases, it is the unbeliever who would try to lead the saved spouse back into the world.

In every portion of our lives, God has called us to live in peace!

One more important thing we should see is that the believer is not to initiate this divorce, but it is the unbeliever who has decided to get a divorce.

This was a problem in the early church.

One of the great heathen complaints against early Christians was that Christianity broke up families.

This is something that the Lord Jesus said would happen, and it will get worse.

Mar 13:12  Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 

Mar 13:13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

God is never caught by surprise.

God tells us to abide in the same calling wherein He has called us.

We are bought with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ; we are to serve Him rather than serve mankind.

If we are married when God calls us, then we should not seek to be loosed.

If we are single, it may be best that we do not marry, but we must beware of the sin of lust.

It is very hard for a young person to remain single because this wicked world is so full of immorality and peer pressure.

Every wife is bound by law!

*****1Co 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

1Co 7:40  But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.  

Every Christian widow has the right to remarry, but a Christian widow is only free to remarry another Christian.

This commandment of the Lord is as plain as can be written.

She may be happier if she remains single, if God is calling her to remain single.

Remaining unmarried may offer this widow more opportunity to serve the Lord.

It is always more important to remain in the will of God for our lives!

We must remember that every word we have from the Apostle Paul came by the Holy Spirit.

Every word we have in our possession is a word that came from our Heavenly Father.

Psa 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 

1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 

Amen

Loose Living and Lawsuits in the Church

 Lawsuits and Loose Living

 1 Corinthians Chapter 6

 As we learned last week, there must be discipline in the Church that belongs to Jesus Christ. If we are not willing to discipline sinful members, we are not being obedient to the Word of God, and we are lacking in faith.

 Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

 Today, we get into another subject about church members and the saints of God.

 A “lawsuit” is described as a suit in law for the recovery of a supposed right, a process in law instituted by a party to compel another to do him justice.

 We simply say legal disputes.

 We should understand that this passage deals only with disputes between Christian brothers and sisters.

 It has nothing to do with unbelievers or disputes between unbelievers!

 In the end, we will see that a true believer might ought to suffer wrong rather than risk doing wrong.

 The Apostle Paul will lead us through this thought, one question at a time.

 The first question.

 *****1Co 6:1  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 

 What Paul is saying is: “How dare you saints of God go to unbelievers to settle any issue you have with another saint of God"?

 A Christian can expect no justice from unbelievers, and two Christians might easily decide small matters in a private and friendly manner.

 There is no real reason why two believers should not be able to settle a dispute themselves!

 Believers should not be disputing and arguing over rights and authority, nor the things and possessions of this world.

 Christians are to use the things they have possession of to further the cause of Christ.

 Paul called those secular laws unjust, and most of those judges were ruled by Rome or appointed by Rome and were certainly unjust.

 Christians were hated in most places, and it would be hard for Christians to get a fair trial.

 In reality, when believers try to settle disputes with other believers before the world, it damages the name of Jesus Christ.

 Jesus taught: Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

 If we truly love one another, we will not cause each other harm in any way.

 Christians have the Holy Spirit living within them, and the fruit of the Spirit is:

 Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Those Christians who do not possess the “Fruit” of the Spirit may not be saved.

 The word “fruit” is singular, so each Christian should possess all the traits that are mentioned here.

 The world is a terrible place because it does not have the Holy Spirit or the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 When Christians take their disputes with other Christians to the world, we make the Lord Jesus look foolish.

 He has already given us the means of solving issues with each other.

 Mat 18:15  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 

Mat 18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 

Mat 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

Mat 18:18  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

 The problems in any church can be resolved if we live and learn as the Word of God instructs us.

 Our lifestyle must not resemble the lifestyle of the world!

 *****1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

 What Paul is saying is that all this information is in the Bible; if you would just read and study it, you would know what God said about all these things.

 This verse tells us that believers are to judge "all disputes" between themselves.

 We should be able to judge the smallest matters, which are the things that pertain to this life.

 We must never take these things to the world!

 We will one day judge the world!

 We will one day judge and govern angels in the next world, which we may not understand as of yet.

 We lower ourselves and lose our dignity as the saints of God when we take our church problems to the world!

 The word judge as it is used here means to govern and administer the affairs of the Church, which the world is to have no part of.

 Jesus Christ told the Apostles that they would oversee Israel during the Millennial Kingdom.

 Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

 Paul tells the Church that we will govern and oversee the Gentiles during the Millennial Kingdom.

 Dan 7:22  Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 

 Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

 There may be judging, which is governing, supervision, and oversight throughout eternity.

 Verse 2 says the world will be judged by the Church that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of.

 Those who reject the Lord Jesus will never live the life of a Christian, so how could they ever judge the life of a Christian?

 Judgment can only come when the Word of God is the "Standard" for all laws.

 This "Standard" is rejected by the world of today!

 We should be able to judge the things of this life!

 *****1Co 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

 If we care for the Lord Jesus Christ, we would suffer ourselves rather than bring reproach to the Christian name!

 Unbelievers are as nothing to the Church.

Unbelievers are of no account in judging matters in the Church.

Unbelievers are not held in high esteem within the Church.

Unbelievers have no standing in the Church.

 Why would we ever take matters of the Church to an unbeliever?

 They do not live the life of Christ, nor do they intend to.

 They do not have the Holy Spirit to rely on!

 This Church at Corinth had fallen from Grace and needed to return to the truth of God.

 When problems arise between believers about everyday things, other believers ought to be able to give solutions.

 These things did not require any Spiritual insight to come to the proper conclusion.

 *****1Co 6:5  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

1Co 6:6  But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.  

 Salvation is our great deliverance from the guilt and pollution of sin and can only be accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Heb 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 

Heb 2:4  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 

 Once we are saved, we find that the things of this world have little, or no value as compared to the things of Heaven.

 Knowing this, why in the world would we take our issues with other brothers and sisters to a court of non-believers?

 Surely there are plenty of people in the Church who are competent to settle such disputes.

 If we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask God!

 Jas_1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 There should be nothing that comes between two children of God that needs to be settled in a court of unbelievers!

 If we feel that outside courts would be better able to handle simple disputes between two Christians, it only proves that their worldliness is stronger than their Christianity.

 We are also saying that there are no wise men in the Church who understand our problem.

 Then we do not accept that the wisdom of God is far superior to the wisdom of this world!

 *****1Co 6:7  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 

1Co 6:8  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

 Rather than cause friction in the Church, why not just give in?

 Why not suffer being wronged and cheated rather than wronging or cheating another brother in Christ?

 Just going to an outside court is defeating the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ.

 Just going outside the Church ruins our testimony for Jesus Christ.

 Rom 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

Rom 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

 1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 

1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 

 Obviously, these things concern disputes between two members of the same church and not the broken laws of the world.

 No doubt that some of these Corinthians were guilty.

They wanted some of the things their brothers had.

They did not steal them outright but sought them by outside legal means.

The world may have called it legal, but they were cheating and stealing from God and God would deal with them.

 The Lord Jesus said: Mat 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 

Mat 15:20  These are the things which defile a man:

 Can church members who do such things really be saved?

 We can surely say they are unrighteous, and we could question their character.

 *****1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 

1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

 We should be able to see that some of these things are things that God will condemn and reject.

 We can expect that nothing can save a person who practices these sins.

 We cannot defy God and get into His House!

 As Christians, we should know these things!

 Since God is righteous, His Church must be righteous to be accepted by Him!

 Many people profess religion.

Many people practice religion.

Many people talk about religion.

Many people defend their beliefs about religion.

 So, they live their lives according to religion.

 However, Christianity is not about religion but is about a "relationship" with God!

 God's "Grace" is not given to us as a free ticket to sin.

 There are very few people in the many churches who think that God will reject them!

 Most church members think God will accept them, and many of them are wrong.

 The Lord Jesus taught by parables, and there is one we should pay attention to.

 The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Mat 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 

Mat 25:2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

Mat 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 

Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 

Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 

Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 

Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 

Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 

Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 

 If this oil represents the Holy Spirit, then Jesus is saying that only about half of the Church is truly saved.

 Remember, God will judge the Church before He judges this world!

 Many believe that deception sins are not fatal, but they seem to forget what being a Christian is about.

 2Jn_1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 

2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

 Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 

Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

 God simply says that none of these persons shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

 We should know these things!

 *****1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 

If we truly give ourselves to the Lord Jesus, then those sins of our old life have been forgiven, and God will never bring them up in our relationship!

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

Rom 6:19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

We cannot be saved by anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

We can then be "Born Again" into the family of God!

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 

Tit 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

We were once dead in trespasses and sins: Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

We cannot approach God without faith: Jas 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

That faith must be in the work that the Lord Jesus Christ did to save us: Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

The Lord will save everyone who calls upon Him with a pure heart!

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

We know what we were before we met Jesus Christ, and when we see others doing those same things or similar things, then we know they are not saved.

This is not judging, this is knowing them by their fruit!

We cannot say we are saved unless we have a salvation experience!

It is a once-for-all event because the Scriptures tell us this.

We are not to return to the world, and its sin pollution. The worst of all pollution.

God the Father takes our "faith" in the Lord Jesus Christ and counts our faith as righteousness.

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

We do not have any righteousness of our own.

We are still imperfect.

We know we are short of God's glory.

We must surrender our new life to God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and worship Him.

It is these things that honor God the Father, and He will gift us with God the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus takes care of our past.

The Lord Jesus takes care of our present.

The Lord Jesus takes care of our future.

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

Are all things now lawful to us as the Saints of God?

*****1Co 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 

The Holy Spirit is not given to us to do as we please!

We have the Holy Spirit living within us to give us freedom to serve the Lord Jesus, which is perfect freedom.

We are free from the law of sin and death: Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

1Pe 2:16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

We have complete freedom to do the things that are in God's will for us.

When God created this world, we live in He said that it was all good.

Gen 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 No actions of any Saint of God are unlawful if they are in accordance with God's design in creation.

We should understand that desires are a function of our bodies that God made. So, in this sense, we have complete freedom.

1) We must understand that many things in this world are neither worthwhile nor are they profitable.

2) We must understand that many things in this world are not wise. Some things will enslave us and not bring self-respect.

We are never to become slaves to anything on this earth, which would include such things as drugs or alcohol, or substance abuse.

We are to preserve our self-control to control the things upon this earth and not be controlled by any of them.

Our good health and our emotions depend upon us being in control of our bodies and our spirits.

Indulgence in any of the appetites of the body is one of the greatest sins of any believer.

Rom 6:12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 

Rom 6:13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they (sinners, the unsaved) do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 

Paul adds: 1Co 6:15  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 

**1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Amen

Confronting Immorality in the Church

 Confronting Immorality Within the Church Family

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 5

 

Some things in the Bible are not easy to comment on, and the things Paul writes in this chapter are one

of those places.

 I do not see myself with enough knowledge to present this lesson other than to follow where research will lead me, along with the Word of God.

 We must accept this chapter as something the local church should do when it is known that there is sin in the midst of the congregation.

 In reality, most churches have bylaws that take effect in such situations, and the pastor of the church would be aware of them.

 First, there is no local church that can prevent someone from sinning!

 God gave us free will, and we are still in these bodies of flesh.

 So, the big question is, how does the church, the Body of Christ, respond when someone's sin has become known?

 If we, as church members, take sin lightly and do not put away known sin that is among us, then can we still say we are the church that Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, established?

 These are also things that can divide the church, and we see this happening all over America today.

 Many in the church say, "I just do not see anything wrong with that," rather than seeing what God says about it.

 We must know that there is a difference between "falling into sin" and "living in sin".

 Falling into sin means we have done something that is sinful.

 Living in sin is not something that is done once; it is a sinful practice in everyday life.

 If someone commits adultery once is terrible because it affects two families, but living in adultery is far more terrible.

 What should we do if we know someone is in sin? The Lord Jesus gives us the answer.

 Mat 18:15  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 

Mat 18:16  But if he will not hear there, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 

Mat 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

Mat 18:18  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

 We should first approach that person and attempt to resolve this issue with them.

 If we do not succeed, then we should try one more time, bringing another person.

 If we do not succeed, then we need to get the Pastor involved and then the church.

 If that person confesses that sin to God, and another person, if such a one was involved, and no one else needs to know about it.

 What had happened in this church at Corinth was a terrible sin, and almost all the church knew it and had done nothing Biblical to stop it.

 Some in this church even thought this was laughable.

 *****1Co 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 

 We should not try to connect this chapter with chapter four, as Paul jumps in to handle this sinful situation in the Church at Corinth.

 To the Church, this is a terrible sin, and is rarely seen, but to the Jew, this sin was specifically addressed in the Scriptures and the Books of the Law.

 This passage gives us an idea of just how wicked the city of Corinth was; it was full of all sorts of lust, lewdness, and excessive unlawful indulgence.

 This sin is unacceptable in almost every nation upon this earth.

 We would think that this sin was not possible for a believer to take part in, but we would be wrong.

 The Apostle Paul explains this very well: Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 

 We should understand what Paul is saying here and prepare ourselves for the day the Devil will place us in these situations.

 When morals have become so corrupted as they have in our nation and most other nations of this world, we see more and more of these types of sin.

 Our own nation might recognize same sex marriages, but God does not.

 Fornication is any sexual relationship outside the relationship of a marriage between one man and one woman.

 The Word of God states that gay men and lesbian women are living in sin.

 In Hebrew families, fornication was seen as a crime against society and was severely condemned, and it should be.

 Deu 22:22  If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

 So, how did this church respond to knowing this sin had taken place and this church member was living in sin?

 We sometimes do not realize how important it is for us to confess our sins and repent for them.

 We cannot live in sin and say we are Christians!

 *****1Co 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 How did this group of believers react to this sin in the midst of them?

 They acted as if nothing was wrong. They became arrogant, pretending to be greater than they were, even proud of themselves.

 The Church at Corinth was in deeper sin than the man who had done this wickedness, when they should have been sad that such a thing took place.

 If they had been sad, maybe the man who had done such a thing might have been removed from the congregation.

 We come into the Church to praise and honor God, and we are saved through the Lord Jesus Christ, who did not sin at all.

 We cannot connect Jehovah to sin!

 We cannot connect the Lord Jesus Christ to sin!

 We know that the Lord Jesus Christ died for all our sins.

 We must not be partakers with those who are living in sin!

 Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

Eph 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

 If we allow such things to go on unchallenged, then we are partakers with these so-called Christians.

 Paul said the church should have handled this situation immediately after finding out about it.

 If a sin of this proportion has become public knowledge and is allowed by the church, how could we ever criticize the sins of the world?

 *****1Co 5:3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 

1Co 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

 What is Church discipline? Discipline in the Church comes from rules for order and the purity of the lives of the members, including rules for the government and worship in the church.

 Each church may have different rules for the discipline of church members.

 We have already read what the Lord Jesus has said in Matthew chapter 18.

 Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: 2Th 3:6  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 

 Then Paul added: 2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 

2Th 3:15  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

 We can love them and pray for them, but we cannot hang out with them.

 First: This man was to face church discipline, "in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ".

The Lord Jesus is the head of the Church. It is His Church!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ whose name is being damaged.

It is for the Lord Jesus that discipline should take place!

It is only by the conviction of the Lord Jesus that will awaken this brother to his sin.

 Second, the entire church was to come together to handle this difficult matter.

Paul said he would be with them in Spirit.

This church was to clean itself up before this discipline could take place.

 A church full of sin cannot discipline a sinful member!

 Third: This brother is to be given to Satan.

 What does this mean? In short, it means that this brother was to be excommunicated.

 If the Church is in the realm of God, then outside the Church is the realm of Satan.

 2Co_4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 Those outside the Church do not have the hand of God to protect them, and God would remove His hand of protection from this brother.

 We have not seen much church discipline throughout the many denominations today, as many of them have fled from the truth of God and have given in to the world, and the Church has lost its power.

 It is only by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ that discipline can be carried out on any child of God.

 We know for sure that there is Spiritual power that inflicts punishment for sin.

 2Th_2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

 For those who have control of their flesh, we already have God's answer to that problem.

 1Jn 5:16  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 

1Jn 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 

1Jn 5:18  We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 

 The Apostle Paul tells us that Christians can become castaways

 1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

 We are told to always examine ourselves: 2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 The only person who can commit a sin unto death is a church member!

 I do not know what this means, but it is said by some to mean eternal death.

 Review: 1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

 If the life that God gives is Spiritual and Eternal, then the sin unto death must correspond, and it must mean the opposite, which is spiritual and eternal death.

 This being true, then for the Bible to be held in High Regard, this person must not have been saved to begin with, because we cannot lose our salvation!

 Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 

Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 

Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one. 

 It is never good for any church or any church member to glorify sin, especially as we see it today!

 *****1Co 5:6  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 

1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

 We know that using leaven is the same as we use yeast today.

 Leaven in the Bible stands for sin.

 Sin in the Church leavens the whole Church.

 This sin had reached the Apostle Paul in Ephesus, and the testimony of this church in Corinth was ruined because this church was glorifying sin.

 As long as sin remained in this church, the testimony of our Lord Jesus, who had no sin, and drastic measures must be taken, or the early church would fail.

 Too often, a church will overlook the sin and a sinful lifestyle of a man who is a leader in the community, government, or big business. In fact, some churches will brag about having such a man as a member

 This church in Corinth needed to wake up to the truth of the Word of God.

 The first thing this church needed to do was to remove the sin by removing the sinner.

 This meant that every member needed to look at their own lives to make sure to remove any sin that they had.

 This means looking at their old life before salvation and making sure there were no remnants of that sin remaining within them.

 If we accept the truth of God, then there must not be any of that old leaven in our lives.

 This is a big problem in the Church today.

 Many of the queer community just say God made them the way they are which means God must have made some mistakes when He created them which is impossible. God does not make mistakes!

 Like every sinner, they can be forgiven, but they must repent of their sin just as all sinners must do.

 To become Christian, we must be "Born Again" and become new creations of God without sin.

 The Church is not to bring sin (leaven) back into the Church!

 2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

 During the Passover, the Jews would remove any leaven they had in their homes, even taking a candle and searching all the corners and the dark spaces to be sure to remove any leaven that remained in their homes.

 It is no different for us; we are to search ourselves to remove any sin that remains in our lives after salvation.

 If we continue to practice sin and or accept sin, it proves we do not believe that we are cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

 "For even Jesus Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us".

 This Church at Corinth must have its own Passover and search out all sin and remove it from the congregation before they could remove this sinner.

 1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

1Jn 3:19  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 

1Jn 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 

 *****1Co 5:9  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 

1Co 5:10  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 

 The duty of the Church is to separate itself from the World!

 The duty of the Church is to welcome every sinner into the Church and teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If they accept the truth of the Lord Jesus, they can stay; if they reject the truth of Jesus Christ, then they must leave and go back into the world.

 There is no middle ground!

 The Church must separate itself from the world!

 We are not to become a part of the world outside the doors of the Church.

 We must be friendly and love those who are lost, but we do not party with them or hang out with them.

 If we know of some in the Church under false pretenses, we are not to associate with them.

 We are not to keep close company with the lost world!

We have to work in this world, and we have to live in this world, but we are not to be a part of this world.

 What we find is that much of the Church of today has ignored the teachings the Holy Spirit gave to the Apostle Paul.

 It can be said that fornication is what drives the world's sin today.

 Fornication includes all immoral sexual acts! Adultery, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and any form of sexual deviation.

 Those who practice fornication are not to be part of the fellowship of the Church!!!!!!!

 The Church is not to become mixed up with the covetousness of this world.

 The word covetous means all those who seek more and more, while millions within this world are dying from sin, hunger, disease, and poverty.

 Covetousness is a sin that is especially despised by Jehovah!

 Luk 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 

 The Church is not to become mixed with extortioners.

 These are thieves, grafters, and those who take advantage of the poor to get more gain for themselves.

 There is a certain party in politics that has been doing this for years, and in fact, this is what all the immigration we have seen in the last few years was all about: to gain voters and people dependent upon handouts they could control.

 This Church is not to become mixed with those who worship false gods. There can be no Chrislam!

 Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible, and He must be accepted as such!

 Believers are in the world, but they are not to be part of the world!

 Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 

 *****1Co 5:11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 

 We must separate ourselves from those who say they are Christians, but the fruit of their lives tells a different story.

 We know our salvation is between us and God, but the Lord said we would know them by their fruit.

 To be safe, we must avoid them while praying for them, not even eating with them.

 These are the same ones who should not participate in the Lord's Supper.

 Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

 Psa 78:35  And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. 

Psa 78:36  Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 

 *****1Co 5:12  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 

1Co 5:13  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 

We have nothing to do with the people whom the Lord will judge when He returns.

Our one job is to tell them of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we need to show them the love of Christ while we are doing this.

The lost world will be judged by God, and we can tell them how to avoid this judgment.

Any and all evil must be removed from the Church!

There must be discipline in the Church!

Those who refuse to repent must be removed from the Church!

We must not forget we were once part of the lost world.

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 

Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 

Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 

Knowing what we were before coming to Christ should allow us to see those who in the Church who are still of the world, but we should also remember there are times we should not remove them, as the Lord has stated.

1Th 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 

1Th 4:12  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 

The Lord Jesus has already said: Mat_13:30  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

There must be discipline in the Church, but it must be done according to the Word of God!

Remember, every Word of the Bible was written for the Church!

Amen

The Divided Church

 A Divided Church

 1 Corinthians Chapter 1

 As we begin our look into the First Book to the Corinthians, we also meet the Apostle Paul.

 We know that Paul was the writer that the Holy Spirit used to preserve these words for the Church of today.

 Why was this letter to the Corinthians needed?

 1) To remove divisions in the Church and bring the Church back as "one" Body of Christ.

 Was Jesus Christ ever divided in His teachings? No. And neither should the Church at that time, nor should the Church be divided today!

 2) To deal with immorality that was entering the Church from this immoral world.

 3) To answer any questions the Church might have, because this was a church filled with baby Christians. They needed to grow in Christ.

 Every “New Born” Christian needs to spend time in discipleship.

 The Lord Jesus spent three years with the Apostles and three years with the Apostle Paul in discipleship training.

We all need to be discipled!

 The things that happened in Corinth are things every church has to contend with in this wicked and immoral world.

 This city had a large population of people coming from all parts of the world.

 Most ships traveling from the East or from the West would stop at Corinth.

 Most roads of commerce crossed at the City of Corinth.

 This made the City of Corinth a wicked and corrupt city.

 Corinth became an intellectual and cultural center as well.

 All these things together made the City of Corinth a potential place for worldwide missions.

 If a church could be established in Corinth, the Word of God could spread all around the world.

 This place first needed to meet the Almighty Living God!

 This church at Corinth was established, and like all baby Christians, they needed discipline.

 Paul began as a gentle shepherd over his flock and moved on to greater things.

 1Co 1:4  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 

1Co 1:5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 

1Co 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 

1Co 1:7  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

1Co 1:8  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 *****1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

 Every Pastor, Preacher or Priest is called to be a brother to all other believers and the Apostle Paul used the word brother when he was addressing this church.

 We all have the same Heavenly Father, and we all are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, and we all are filled with the same Holy Spirit, and we are all to have the same Word of God, and it is time that the Church to unite around these things, for we are in the last of days.

 We are not better than anyone else in this world, but we can say we are better off only because our names are written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

 If your name is written down in the Lamb's Book of Life, you are already a saint of God and set apart for the Lord.

 The true Church belongs to God!

 The false church belongs to the Devil!

 Isa 48:11  For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: "for how should my name be polluted"? and I will not give my glory unto another. 

 No one can approach God but through the Lord Jesus Christ, and those who think they can be are still lost.

 If you feel like you have lived your life good enough for Heaven, then you are self-righteous and still lost, no matter who you are.

 Super-spirituality and pride have no place in the House of God!

 We can only be in the Church because of the Grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

 Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

 God's "Grace" is the free gift of God, and God is extending His "Grace" out to all who will accept it today!

 The Church must be unified behind these truths today; these truths will never change!

 This message must be tender and full of love!

 The word "beseech" means, come let's share these truths together.

 Our faith binds us to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ and not the things of this world!

 Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 We must approach each other with the "love of Christ".

 We will never agree on everything in the Church, but we must hold the truth of Jesus Christ in our hearts!

 Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 

Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

 We cannot allow the teachings of this world to tear us apart when those teachings go against the truth of God.

 Everyone must repent from the teachings of this world about salvation, which this world knows nothing about.

 We all must be in the same mind, as we will all be judged by the same Word of God!

 *****1Co 1:11  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 

 The word contentions here mean strife, the struggle that had become violent along with quarreling.

 These are works of the flesh.

 There was no peace in this church in Corinth!

 When men divide the Body of Christ, then it is Christ who bleeds; Christ is not divided.

 This Chloe was probably a lady in Ephesus, from where Paul wrote this Epistle, because we know Paul would never have mentioned the name of a member of the church in Corinth.

 She is probably a Christian, maybe even the wife of Stephanus and possibly the mother of Fortunatus and Achaicus.

 1Co 16:17  I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. 

 Or Paul got this information from one of her slaves, but not from her.

 If we are seeking glory other than the glory of the Lord, we will never find it because it does not exist!

 There will be a perfect union in Heaven for all God's children, and division here on earth could cause some not to get there.

 If we are to live a true Christian life, we must draw upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is the same for every Christian.

 The unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ are at our disposal.

 Each and every one of us is called of God, but not to cause divisions or strife inside the Church or outside the Church.

 When news of a divided church reaches another nation, then the testimony of that church will not be good enough to win souls.

 Our one job is to win souls for Jesus Christ. if we have problems, then the first place to seek help is the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Mat_6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 Next, we should seek an audience with our Pastor.

 *****1Co 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 

1Co 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 

 I think we have the greatest church in our area, and for certain, we have the best Pastor.

 Most of us cannot wait to hear the message God has given him at every service.

 Occasionally, he will take time for rest, or he will preach in some other place of worship or for some other reason, but if the congregation finds out that he will not be here the size of the congregation will shrink because someone else will preach.

 In many ways, this is Pastor worship rather than the worship and praise of the Almighty God.

 We come to Church to praise our Heavenly Father and to worship Him in Spirit and Truth, no matter who is preaching the message of God.

 If we trust the Lord, then we know that person will also preach a message that God has given to them, and those who did not come because our true Pastor was not there, miss out on that message.

 Is this not the same thing that Apostle Paul is saying here in this Scripture.

 Jesus Christ is not divided, and these things must never divide our congregation.

 We are all going to have differences of opinion from time to time, but we all have the same Word of God, and we all strive to get to our true home in Heaven.

 There is only One Heaven!

 We cannot bring the Lord Jesus Christ down to the level of man!

 We all know that we must have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to get to the Glory World, and again Our Lord Jesus is not divided in fact, He is very blunt when speaking His own words which we see in Red letters.

 I am certain that we all have our favorite teachers in our church.

 If we say we belong to Jesus Christ, then we had better act like we do!

 We can never place our Lord Jesus at the level of ordinary teachers, even if they are our favorite Preacher or teacher.

 Every believer belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, if not, then you are not saved!

 We do not know everything about our Savior, we only know what the Holy Spirit decided we needed to know to get us saved.

 John 21:25  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

 The God of the Bible is unlimited in knowledge and power, and I just want to be close as I can to Him in His house.

 The closest I can get here upon this earth is in a Bible believing Church with a Bible believing Pastor!

 These are things we will get to know over the next million years when we join Him in Heaven.

 We need to agree on the salvation plan of Jehovah God, and then, we can discuss those places where we differ from one another without them dividing us.

 Sometimes we just have to agree to disagree while keeping our relationship with our Savior sound!

 It is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ that unifies us, all of us.

 Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

 The Church is a long way from what the Lord says here in this passage today!

 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and we had better keep that straight in our minds!

 There is only one Head of the Church, and there is only one Church, and this Church is to follow the One Word of God!

 We are to be Christians because we follow the work of the Lord Jesus Christ that He did, so we can be saved.

 Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, "which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them".

 If we say we are liberals, or Catholics, or Baptists, or of any other title, then our parting spirit is sin!

 We are all to be Christians!

 There is only One who was crucified for our sin, the sin of us all.

 We all have the same mandate: Matt 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

 *****1Co 1:14  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 

1Co 1:15  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 

1Co 1:16  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 

1Co 1:17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 It was for this very reason that Paul did not like to baptize new Christians. He agreed with Biblical Baptism with all his heart, but he did not want to be put on some pedestal for baptizing the most people or have the most converts.

 Paul said if we in any way make the Lord Jesus less than the Head of the Church, we are striving toward the death of the Church.

 We all have a calling of some manner in the Church so. Let’s do what the Lord called us to do!

 1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many. 

1Co 12:15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

1Co 12:16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

1Co 12:17  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

 There is a place to serve for every member of the Church!

 Paul said: he was to preach the Word of God which are the Words of Wisdom and not preach the wisdom of words.

 Divisions in any church cannot be resolved by words of human wisdom. The cross alone is the answer to a divided church!

 *****1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 There are only two categories of people in this world!

 1) Those doomed to perish.

2) Those who have been saved from perishing.

 As the years pass and we get older, we get closer to the grave and Hell or we are getting closer to Heaven, the Glory World.

 We are never just sitting still! We are perishing or we are saved.

 We cannot say "being saved" because it is a finite event and is eternal.

 Perishing means to be in a lost state in the world that comes after death. Hell is a real place, people!

 1) Salvation is a once-for-all experience meaning once we have been saved it is then in the past and unchangeable and we can live the rest of our lives at peace with God.

 Luk 7:50  And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

 2) Salvation is a continuous experience. It occurs right now, in the present.

 The verse we are on right now, verse 18, " For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God".

 3) The redemption experience of our salvation is still in the future.

 Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 

 Those who reject these things are not very wise!

 *****1Co 1:19  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 

1Co 1:20  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 

1Co 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 

1Co 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  

 Mankind seeks to conquer evil through science, technology, and the religion of human effort.

Mankind tries to conquer nature, disease, suffering, corruption and death and we never had this power and never will.

 As a people, we want a life that is full and free, but we want to dictate how we want it.

 We always want to stand on the mountain and say, "Look what I did".

 Most of this world is just not willing to live by the Word of God and what Jesus Christ has said.

 Science has not brought love, joy, and peace, but only to a few foolish people.

Technology has not brought love, joy, and peace to anyone.

Good works only make us self-righteous.

 The first thing we begin to understand about Jehovah is that He loves us enough to provide a way to save us.

 He has offered up the perfect sacrifice for us.

 On that cross, the Lord Jesus Christ took all our sins upon Himself, and then He took our punishment for having sinned upon Himself.

 Jehovah sacrificed Himself for us, and through this sacrifice, God saves us!

 Those who want to approach God by some other means will always fail because this is God's plan.

 The leaders of this world have never tried to solve the world's problems of sin and evil because it is just too prosperous for a few rich men who pull the strings on national leaders, and today on local leaders and our government become corrupt and refuse to change.

 Only the cross has the power to change the hearts of these men.

 There are some truly smart people in our world, but they spend their time on things that cannot change our world and make it a better place.

 The cross is the wisdom of God, the way God has chosen to save this world and to save those who have faith that he can do as He promises.

 If this world were to turn to the cross just to see the perfect demonstration of love and sacrifice, then this world would be a much better place.

 All our leaders know how to do is inquire and argue. We see it played out every day in our Senate and in our Congress and nothing gets done because they love corruption too much.

 It is the same in most of every nation.

 Even the Jews want to see some great sign from God after they have already seen and read about all the great things God has shown them.

 Even as they have just had their fiftieth birthday as a nation, they refuse to believe that it was Jehovah who caused this to happen.

 Isa_66:8  Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

 The next sign this world will see is the sound of the trumpet and the Church leaving this world.

 The Jews still stumble over the truth of Jehovah!

 *****1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 

1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 

1Co 1:25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 We should understand that what we teach about the Lord Jesus Christ is the reverse of what the Jews and the world demand.

 Instead of a Messiah as ruler of all the earth, triumphant over all His enemies, we teach how a condemned criminal is our Savior and soon coming King and LORD.

 Christians teach that our one argument is the death and then the life of the Messiah.

 Isa 8:13  Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 

Isa 8:14  And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

 Jesus Christ is the power of God!

 The Jews and many in the world feel like they are the chosen seed of God, and they reach God because they have a godly heritage.

They still believe that they can be good enough to be acceptable to God.

 They believe that if they work hard enough, they can bring the Kingdom of God to this earth.

 They believe that the Golden Age of Earth is still in the future.

 The truth is, we can never be good enough to be acceptable to God.

The penalty for our sin had to be paid for by the perfect sacrifice of God's Son.

That we trust in that sacrifice.

That true belief in God's Son gave all He had to save this world for eternity.

 When religion looks upon the ugliness of the cross, the ugliness of sin, and suffering instead of glory, they are repulsed.

 Who are the blessed of God? Mat 11:6  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 

 The world continues to stumble over the simplicity of the cross, but the world is missing the message of the Cross.

 2Co_11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

 It is the Cross of Jesus Christ that God's way is wiser and stronger than the way of religion and the way of man!

 This is why Christianity is by faith and not by religion.

 Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

 ***** 1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 

1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 

 Which group of people does God save?

 Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 Our faith must lie in the fact that our life must be governed by a will that is far above this earth, and we receive the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

 My Pastor has said many times that we receive the Holy Spirit for our employment and not for our enjoyment.

 It is the Holy Spirit of God who does the calling.

 Act 7:51  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 

 It is the Holy Spirit who remains with us throughout eternity

 Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

 It is the Holy Spirit who will make our old bodies live again in glory.

 Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

 We are called according to God's purpose for us.

 Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

 God does not call many who are dependent upon themselves, we would say self-righteous.

 God calls simple and humble people.

 Those who believe they can save themselves may not be called, or at least God will not waste much time on them when He already knows what they will do.

 God's calling is not arbitrary and not without reason.

 God knows who will accept Him and who will not.

 God has a reason and a purpose for everything He teaches us!

 God smiles every time one of His nothings nullifies the somethings of this world.

 God has given each one of us the free will to decide or reject Him.

 If we are arrogant enough to think we do not need God, then He will not help us.

 God sent the Lord Jesus Christ to save those who know they cannot save themselves.

 God saves all those who want to spend eternity with Him in His House.

 Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 *****1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence. 

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 

1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

Not many simple and humble people will boast about anything.

The truth: 

1) Man will never be able to control sin and evil in this world.

2) Man will never be able to bring peace, assurance, and control to the human heart.

3) Man will never bring eternal life beyond our few short years upon this earth.

We have nothing to brag about and no right to glory in the things we do!

God's wisdom is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are nothing to God unless we are "Born Again" in Jesus Christ.

By the fact that the Lord Jesus arose from that grave to show us the power of God it becomes wisdom to follow in His ways.

It is by God pouring His Spirit into us that we can know the truth.

He is the Spirit of Righteousness, which means He knows no evil and by His power we can be sanctified which is working our way toward Holiness.

The Lord Jesus paid the price that God required for our sin, and if we believe in this, we are reconciled to God.

The entire work for our salvation is of God.

Our only work is to accept this great gift of God, so if we glory, let us glory in the Lord!

Amen